A-Fib Center of Excellence
News & Features

Atrial fibrillation (also called A-fib or AF) is a common rapid heart rhythm condition in which the electrical impulses that control muscle contractions in the upper chambers of the heart or atria become rapid and chaotic.

A-fib is also the most common heart rhythm disorder in the United States, with over 160,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. That's why St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana has developed an A-fib Center of Excellence providing a total care approach for patients with atrial fibrillation from some of the best electrophysiologists in the state. In addition to providing comprehensive services, the A-fib Center of Excellence serves as a resource for referring physicians, patients, and their families to help them understand A-fib and the variety of treatment options available.

While A-fib is uncommon in young people, it can occur in people of any age. But the likelihood of developing A-fib increases as we age. After age 65, between three and five percent of people have atrial fibrillation. Approximately nine percent of people age 80 or older have the condition.

The signs and symptoms of A-fib vary from person to person. For some, it feels like a sudden flutter or tremor of the heart, while others feel nothing unusual at all. Many people say that they're aware of exactly when their heartbeat becomes irregular and more rapid than normal. They also may experience anxiety and fear, especially the first few times they experience an episode of A-fib. Other symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath

Fatigue

Weakness and difficulty exercising — even walking or going up a flight of stairs